Austrian researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna have discovered how to capture dogs' attention using gestures and eye contact.
In a study involving dogs wearing eye-tracking helmets, it was found that the animals respond better to commands when a person simultaneously looks at and points to an object while also calling the pet's name. This confirms that dogs have learned to interpret visual signals over years of interaction with humans.
Pointing without eye contact proved to be less effective, as dogs could not always understand exactly where to go. False throws did not help, as the animals could not determine the correct location.
Thus, combining gestures and gaze increases the likelihood of command execution. Eye-tracking technology provides valuable insights into how dogs perceive their owner's instructions.
